Page 37 of The Northern Lights in His Eyes

William leaned over and kissed him. “You can always come visit me.” He took Garvin’s hand. “I don’t want this to be the end. It can’t be.”

“No. Me too.” What the fuck did you say at a time like this? “I don’t want you to go.”

“I know, and I wish I could stay, but I have commitments. But I’ll always have room for you and a place for you and Sasha to stay when you want to visit.” He kissed Garvin again and then they got out of the Jeep. William got his suitcases out of the back and took them to the curb. Garvin felt his gaze on him as he drew closer, and he hugged William hard. Sometimes words completely failed, and this was one of those moments. Finally, Garvin released William and hurried around to his side of the car. He got inside, buckled his seat belt, and checked the traffic around him before pulling away.

The lights of the airport flashed in the windows, and he was nearly away before he glanced at the passenger window. That was when he saw it—a simple heart drawn in frost outside. Damn it all.

He continued forward, and the light faded and darkness surrounded him. Garvin was tempted to go around the circle, park, and find William to tell him how he felt, but it was too late. Just like with so many things, Garvin had waited too damned long, and now he was out of time.

Chapter 16

“CAN WE give that another try?” the director for the commercial William was filming asked. He had been home a week. Arnie had finalized the sponsorship contract, and they were already filming initial spots. It wasn’t likely these would actually be used, but management wanted to know how things might look.

William nodded and stepped off the set so the crew could reset. Once they were done, he stepped back into position, smiled, and let the energy he wanted to come across flow through him. Then, when he got his cue, he spoke directly to the camera about how rather than buying frozen pie, you could use this new prebaked crust to make one of your own. It was flaky, buttery, and turned out just like your grandmother made, only in a fraction of the time and without the work and mess. Of course he took a slice out of the most perfect pie known to man, placed it on a plate, and tasted the gelatinous mess, smiling the entire time.

“Perfect!” the director called, and William grabbed a napkin from the set and spat the bite into it before tossing it away. There was no way in hell he was swallowing that. “I loved the energy, and you came across as really genuine.”

“Thank you.” That was hard, considering the only thing actually tasty on the pie was the crust. Everything else was for the cameras and tasted like glue. “Do you need anything more?” This was the ninth time through, and he was getting tired, but he’d do as many takes as they needed. It was how this job worked.

“No. That’s a wrap on this script. Can we do the second one?”

William knew that one as well. Letting the crew set up, he stayed out of the way and spent some time on his phone, checking email and his messages. He hoped there was one from Garvin, but other than a response to the one William sent that he had made it home, it had been largely radio silence. Garvin sent him a few pictures of Sasha, and William responded with pictures of the guys and a few of where he was working, but that was all. He didn’t know if Garvin was distancing himself or if the guy just hated texting.

“We’re ready for you,” the director called.

William stepped onto the set, they walked through the spot, and then they started filming.

Thankfully, the director was happy with the second version after three takes. He dismissed everyone, and William returned to Wardrobe to get out of his costume before putting on his own clothes.

“What the hell was that?” Arnie asked as soon as they were off the studio and in the car. “You were fine on set, but the rest of the time you looked like someone had just killed your dog. What’s up with you lately?” He pulled out of the parking garage and onto Santa Monica Boulevard. “You don’t seem like yourself.”

“I’m fine. I’ve just been busy since I got back.” He settled in the seat, determined not to check his phone yet again. There was probably nothing to see anyway. “The director was happy, and I think the work was good.”

“Oh, it was. But it’s the rest of the time that I’m worried about. I’ve known you for years, and it just seemed like your mind was off somewhere else. You know we’ll get feedback and changes on the commercials that have to be filmed, and then you leave for Paris in a few weeks. And you’re going to need your head in the game for that.”

William was well aware of that. Paris Fashion Week was always a brutal test of endurance, without a doubt, and he was going to be scrutinized from the moment he stepped out of his hotel room to until he returned to it.

“The commercials went well, and you know it. They got what they wanted and were very happy. So get off my back.” William’s tone was sharper than he intended, but he let it be. If it got through to Arnie, then that was what he needed.

“If you think a little snippiness is going to get me to stop worrying about you, then you’re crazy.” He pulled to a stop at another light. “You’ve been like this since you got back from Alaska. At first I thought it was because you were tired, but it’s more than that.”

William didn’t want to talk. It was hard realizing your hopes were being dashed in slow motion, and the last person he could tell was Arnie. He hadn’t exactly been supportive in the first place. “Did you find a lawyer for me?” He figured changing the subject was a good idea.

“I did. One of the big advocacy groups. The Northern Rockies Conservancy is going to send someone up to speak to your friends. Their mission is to ensure that mining operations are being conducted properly. They have experience, and they know the law. They even have a legal presence in Alaska already. Hopefully they’re on the case right now.”

William sat back with a sigh, sending Garvin a message about the group. He got a smiley face in return, then a second message. We have a meeting with them tomorrow. Thank you.

He blinked at the phone, wondering if that was all he was going to get. He growled under his breath.

“Okay. This is enough. What in the hell did your phone ever do to you?” Arnie asked. “And does it have anything to do with that stick plunged up your backside? This is getting frustrating. What the hell happened up there?” He made the turn into William’s building and pulled into a parking space. “Don’t think about getting out until you tell me what’s going on.” Man, Arnie could be feisty. His eyes blazed, and he pursed his cosmetically filled lips.

“Are you sure you want to hear this?” William asked.

Arnie folded his arms over his chest. “Don’t make me turn off the air-conditioning.”

William smiled and scoffed. “Come on. You’d melt before me.” He loved teasing Arnie about his little nips and tucks and the fact that he hated growing older.

Those eyes grew harder, and he didn’t take the bait. “Ass,” Arnie retorted. “Now spill whatever happened between you and the Alaska man. Did you meet some big bush guy, and did he rock your world to the point that you’re going to want to go back there and live off the grid in a tiny shack or something?”

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